Report on Endowed Chairs and Professorships

COMMITTEE REPORT OF ADOPTION OF POLICY RECOMMENDATION (Endowed Chairs and Professorships)

DATE: January 26, 2006 TO: Ron McIntyre, Faculty President FROM: Personnel Planning and Review Committee By: Penelope Jennings, Executive Secretary

At its meeting on November 2, 2005, the Personnel Planning and Review Committee considered changes in Section 600 of the Administrative Manual to modify the policy guidelines related to establishment of Endowed Chairs and Endowed Professorships. The Committee adopted policy recommendations by passing the following motion:

MSP: That Section 651 be revised as follows:

Section 651 Endowments

651.1 Preamble.

This University recognizes that endowments can play an important role in achieving our educational goals as expressed in the University’s Mission Statement. In this statement of purpose, teaching, research, and public service are recognized as the University’s three major responsibilities. Endowments can well are expected to advance these three activities by providing our students and faculty with opportunities for dialogue with outstanding teachers who are recognized scholars and who will offer classes and conduct research that enhance learning.

Named gift endowments from private sources . . .

651.2 Policy Guidelines.

1. Acceptance of funds and establishment of either an Endowed Chair or Professorship shall require the review and recommendation of 1) the Department Chair and Department Personnel Committee, 2) a majority of the tenured members of the Department, 3) the College Dean and the College Personnel Committee, 4) the Personnel Planning and Review Committee, and 5) the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The President of the University shall make the final decision. Acceptance of funds for scholarly and/or creative activity endowments shall require the review and recommendation of 1) the Department Chair and Department Personnel Committee, 2) a majority of the tenured members of the Department, 3) the College Dean, and 4) the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The President of the University shall make the final decision.

When feasible, the President of the University will consult with the relevant Department(s) and College(s) prior to acceptance of funds and establishment of an Endowed Chair or Endowed Professorship.

651.3 Nomination and Appointment Policy

2. Nominations for either Endowed Chairs or Professorship shall originate in the Department by the normal University procedures for selection and appointment of faculty under Section 600.

a. 1. Clearly outstanding persons . . . b. 2. Highest consideration . . . c. 3. Upon appointment . . . d. 4. The term of appointment . . . e. 5. Holders of Endowed Chairs . . . f. 6. Endowed Chairs . . .

Passed unanimously.

Summary of Supporting Reasons:

In recent years, there has been an increase in interest by the institution as well as by potential donors, in the establishment of Endowed Chairs and Endowed Professorships at CSUN. In just the past four years, the number of Endowed Chairs and Professorships has increased from one to six. With this increase in interest, questions have been raised about the process for consultation on the establishment of an Endowed Chair or Professorship.

President Jolene Koester met with the Faculty Senate on October 27, 2005 to discuss the importance of endowments in the overall fundraising plans of the Colleges and the role of Department faculty (and depending on the nature of the gift, College faculty), the Dean, and the Provost in development of the gift once a potential donor is identified. The process is not one of a series of formal meetings with particular groups but rather, where possible in light of confidentiality issues, an ongoing collaborative process involving faculty, the Dean, University Advancement, the President, the Provost, and the potential donor. Per CSU policy, the final decision is made by the University President but as was noted by President Koester, the decision to accept a gift to support an endowment is made only if it will advance the mission of the University and certainly no gift will be pursued or accepted if it will injure the values or reputation of the University.

The revised policy requiring that the University President consult, where feasible, with relevant departments and colleges prior to a acceptance of funds and establishment of an Endowed Chair or Endowed Professorship, is consistent with best practices in fundraising and collaborative efforts in development of gifts to the University.

It should be noted that the current process for nomination of Endowed Chairs and Endowed Professors remains unchanged (other than re-numbering of the current provisions in Section 651.3). Once an Endowed Chair or Professorship is established, the implementation of the endowment, including appointment of a faculty member designated to hold the position, follows normal Department, College, and University processes.